What Should I Consider When Comparing JavaScript Libraries?

I actually penned down some criteria for evaluating libraries in an article a while back, which could help guide your choices! It includes aspects like documentation, community support, and more—definitely worth a glance!

I think there's no one-size-fits-all answer here; it largely depends on personal preference and experience. A few pointers I find helpful are looking at GitHub stars and npm downloads (though these can be misleading), checking if the documentation is solid (indicates how much care went into it), and being cautious about bundle sizes, as they can differ based on what you actually include. Open issues can be a red flag too—some libraries with lots of users have more issues simply because of their popularity. Overall, I recommend trying a few libraries; if one feels off, just switch it up! And remember, for smaller tasks, it might even be better to adapt a few methods from existing libraries instead of going all-in.

When I compare JavaScript libraries, I look at several factors like the age of the library, how frequently it’s updated, and the number of open bugs. I usually create a comparison grid against others to see how well it addresses what I need. Those are just a starting point, but they help out a lot!

A while back, I shared my thoughts on choosing libraries. The consensus is that priorities can shift, and what seems perfect today might not be so great in a couple of years. Sometimes, your project needs will change, and you might find yourself having to switch libraries down the line. So, it’s pretty normal to go through a few before finding the right fit.

I tend to check the number of stars on GitHub, weekly npm downloads, and look at the runtime dependencies listed in package.json—the fewer, the better! Also, it’s crucial to see if it’s available as ES6 modules, which makes it more future-proof when the web evolves.